Location: Vienna, 1st district
According to Vienna police, on Saturday, December 30, 2023, there will be a rally called “Together for Palestine” starting at 3:00pm at Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz (next to the Opera House) with up to 1000 participants. The participants are expected to march along the Ringstrasse to Sigmund-Freud-Park in front of the Votivkirche, where the event is expected to conclude by 6:30 p.m. There will be significant police presence during the demonstration and as participants march, with likely traffic delays and temporarily blocked streets.
Regarding “Silvesterpfad” (Vienna New Year’s Eve Trail) on December 31, 2023, your attention is drawn to last weekend’s message, the text of which is repeated below:
According to Austrian media reports, police made several arrests on December 23 in connection with reported threats to Saint Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna, 1st district) during the holiday season which runs through New Year’s Day.
As a rule, Austrian security forces increase protection measures in public spaces during the holidays. However, with the above reporting, police may take extra precautions to include armed officers, access control measures, and ID checks possible at crowded locations such as churches, Christmas markets, and Vienna's New Year's Eve trail (Wiener Silvesterpfad).
Actions to take:
--Maintain good situational awareness and remain actively aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
--If you see something that seems odd or out of place, immediately notify the nearest law enforcement officer and move away from the area.
--Always carry a form of identification and proof of legal presence in Austria. Police may ask for your identification when entering an event.
--Always carry your cellphone, programmed with local emergency numbers: Austrian Police (133), Ambulance (144), Fire (122), Europe-wide emergency (112).
--Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
--Follow the instructions of authorities and road signs regarding closures and detours.
--Monitor local media for updates.
--Keep a low profile.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Vienna – Consular Section
Parkring 12A (Marriott Hotel Building), Vienna, 1190, Austria
U.S. Citizens emergencies ONLY: +43-1-31-3390
E-mail: ConsulateVienna@state.gov
Embassy website: at.usembassy.gov
Department of State – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Austria Country Information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Austria.html
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates at https://step.state.gov/.
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